Racecards
16:45 Cheltenham
Weatherite Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 62y
- Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Winner: £12,512
- 2nd: £3,696
- 3rd: £1,848
- 4th: £924
- Form 122422
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked winner throughout, not fluent 4 out, driven approaching last, held final 100 yards, stayed on
- Form 123333
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey R Johnson
made all, not fluent 1st, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on
- Form 7-11015
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, unable to go with front pair before 2 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 7-714
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Jamie Snowden
- Jockey Brendan Powell
tracked leaders, outpaced 9th, well beaten 4 out
In depth
Verdict
FOX NORTON was third to Douvan in the Arkle here last month and filled the same position behind the Mullins' superstar at Aintree on Saturday. The quick reappearance is a bit of a worry but Neil Mulholland's novice should have too much for recent Kelso runner-up Dormello Mo if running up to his best. Presenting Arms ran poorly in a Ludlow handicap after making a winning start over fences at Doncaster and has plenty on his plater here while the Flat-bred Agenor has his first run over the larger obstacles after a significant lay-off.
Formwatch
Dormello Mo (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, left 3rd and ridden after next, one pace when went right last, stayed on to take 2nd closing stages, no impression with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Savello (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f (2) sft in Apr.
Fox Norton (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In touch in 4th place, went 3rd before last, one pace and never dangerous, 3rd of 5, 32l behind Douvan (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Held up, raced keenly, closed 2nd, went 2nd 8th, every chance when blundered badly 3 out (usual 4 out), not recover and well held after, 5th of 7, 32l behind Noche De Reyes (10-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Agenor (GER) 5-4fav (11-5) Pressed leader, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 32l behind Francis Of Assisi (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Sep.